Confusing Words Clarified: Group W; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(lists of "W" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)
Words are timeless. You should utter them or write them with a knowledge of their meanings and timelessness.
If you have any problems understanding the pronunciation symbols, go to this Pronunciation Chart for clarifications.
2. Bored or annoyed by something because someone has seen it, heard it, done it, etc., many times or for a long time: "Norma was weary from months of washing dishes in the restaurant kitchen."
Kim is wary of the vote that might take place at the meeting tonight. The committee members seem to be weary of the endless negotiations so they might vote to go on strike.
2. To increase in amount, size, etc.: "Interest in the story seems to wax and wane depending on the news that comes afterward."
3. To talk or write about something in a way that shows that a person is experiencing a specified mood or feeling: "Jerry likes to wax lyrical about a new product being developed which he calls Formula One concrete."
2. An act of hitting someone or something with great force: "Dale whacks the ball around whenever he has a chance."
The sports reporter seemed to wax enthusiastically about the baseball player who was famous for the powerful whacks he could take at the ball during games.
2. The series of roads, paths, etc., that can be used to go from one place to another: "What is the shortest way to the grocery store?"
Lois asked the clerk to weigh the pail of whey quickly so she can be on her way home.
2. Often used figuratively to indicate a distance or direction: "Wanda and Bonnie still have a long ways to go to complete their task; in other words, they still have a lot of work to do."
How many ways can Tracy tell Greg that he weighs too much?
In the gathering darkness, we thought we were seeing the wee folks referred to in the folk tales of this region.
2. Lacking enough or the usual amount of an important ingredient: "The tea Sam made is quite weak."
"Renting the car by the week over a long period can cost a lot of money."
Weak is what a man is when a pretty girl is telling him how strong he is.
Andrea has been ill for a week and she still feels very weak.
2. Usually a reddish bump or bruise on the skin: "The weal on Dawn's arm seemed to be getting worse so she went to see the doctor."
We’ll have to put medication on the weal on your arm so it will heal properly. The condition of your emotional weal is also our concern.
2. The value of all the property, possessions, and money that someone has: "Marvin's personal wealth is estimated to be in the billions."
"There is a wealth of doubt that Barry can achieve his objectives."
The wealth of a community is not measured just by the individual wealth of the home owners, but it is also based on the wealth of community spirit that is manifested throughout the year.
2. Used to indicate choices or possibilities: "It doesn't matter whether Bonnie pays for the books with Dollars or Euros in this store."
The teacher said, "Ah, my dear,
That's just about the worst spell of weather
We've had around here for years."
Don't knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't change once in a while.
Whether you know it or not, weathermen are never wrong. It's the weather that's wrong.
2. To move from side to side while going forward; especially, in order to avoid the people or things that are in front of someone: "Aaron had to carefully weave the car through the traffic at the scene of the accident."
We've been in the outdoor museum today to watch the staff weave cloth from yarn.
"We'd love to have you stay over another night."
If there were very many wild plants growing in the yard, then we'd have to weed them out.
2. To join or bring people or things close together: "Do those folks want to weld their friendship that close together after all that has happened?"
2. Raised or surged from an inner source: "Anger welled up in Jacob when he heard about the increases of the costs he would have to pay for the completion of his house."
The generosity that spontaneously welled out of the community when faced with adversity served to weld the town folks even closer together.
2. A reinforced decorative border on a garment: "The welt on the pocket was made with a contrasting color."
2. To become tired often as the result of hot weather: "If Travis and Andrea don’t sit in the shade, they are going to wilt in this heat."
Emily tends to wilt in today's hot weather, and in addition, she lost her balance and fell down and got a large red welt on her knee.
The kitchen wench had to use the winch to lift the heavy pot from the fire. The contents splashed on her arm and caused her to wince.
2. Having a lot of rain: "It has been a cold, windy, and wet morning."
"The butcher started to whet his knife in order to cut the fresh meat."
The hot weather will whet Edna's thirst for a cool, wet drink.
Confusing Words: Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs; explained and demonstrated.
Confusing Words: Units, Groups A to Z.
Confusing Words: Vocabulary Quizzes Listed.
